Uniroyal research shows most Canadians wait until the first major snowfall to install winter tires. To ensure you 're prepared for any condition, the Uniroyal Tire Doctor recommends drivers make the change to winter tires in Fall: October for the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Northern Ontario, Alberta and the Prairies; Late October/early November for Southern Ontario and British Columbia. A good rule of thumb is to put winter tires on when the temperature drops to 7 degrees C.

If only two snow tires are installed, make sure to put them on the rear position for the best lateral control. This holds true for front-wheel drive sedans and four-wheel drive SUVs.

Air pressure

Proper inflation is a critical part of tire care and should be checked monthly: For every five degree temperature drop, the tires lose one pound of air pressure -- so it's especially important to check your air pressure after the first frost. Properly inflated tires also ensure optimum fuel efficiency.